April 2015
36
INHOUSE
P ro f e s s i o n a l P ro f i l e
By the time the case goes to a lawyer,
we're well armed with evidence.
''
''
York City's and Mexico City's), the TTC
has a team of 18 lawyers, including 10
litigators who specialize in personal inju-
ry cases. (Four others are employment
and human rights lawyers, while two are
solicitors handling corporate/commercial
work and construction documents.)
In 2014, the TTC was subject to 2,159
injury claims and paid out $22.3 million
in settlements. Leck, who has headed the
legal department since 1999, has author-
ity to okay a settlement up to $150,000.
(Higher amounts have to be approved by
either the CEO or the board.)
In his quarter century at the TTC,
Leck, 61, has strived to ensure that the
transit system isn't seen as a soft touch.
"It's important to send the message that
we will pay a fair and reasonable amount
for legitimate claims," he says, "but if
The red rocket's
litigator-in-chief
TTC's general counsel Brian leck has 'become
fascinated with uncovering deception.'
BY SHElDON GOrDON
When YOu SuGGeSt to Brian Leck,
the general counsel of the Toronto Transit
Commission, that he's running the ultimate
personal injury practice, he readily agrees.
"Oh, I think so," he says. "We are a target.
Toronto is becoming more and more liti-
gious."
The third most heavily used mass tran-
sit system in North America (after New
SANDrA
STrANGEMOrE
